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Discrimination / Harassment

DOL alleges contractor dropped dime on injured employee

03/05/2019
The U.S. Department of Labor is suing a Boston construction company, alleging its CEO retaliated against an injured employee by facilitating his arrest.

EPA case DOA in Supreme Court, tossed back to 9th Circuit

03/05/2019
The U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 25 vacated a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling in a 2018 Equal Pay Act case for a novel reason: The judge who wrote the majority opinion and cast one of the majority votes died before the opinion was released.

Bill would make it easier to sue for age discrimination

02/26/2019
A bipartisan coalition of representatives and senators have introduced legislation to strengthen employment protections for older workers.

NYC is first to ban bias on the basis of hairstyles

02/26/2019
The New York City Commission on Human Rights has issued guidance making clear that the city considers discrimination on the basis of someone’s hairstyle to be a subset of race discrimination.

Boston pay case may signal new lawsuit risk

02/26/2019
If we’ve learned anything from the #MeToo movement, it’s that awareness of workplace injustice can spark a flood of lawsuits. Now a high-profile case may mean more suits filed by employees and attorneys eager to litigate equal-pay cases.

Calif. State Senate pays ex-staffer $350,000 after sexual assault

02/22/2019
A former California State Senate staffer who alleged she was sexually assaulted by another Senate employee after a night out in Sacramento has accepted $350,000 to settle charges she was fired in retaliation for reporting the incident.

Document the factors you weigh for promotions

02/22/2019
Keep careful records of the factors you consider when making promotion decisions. That’s especially true if you don’t give much weight to objective factors such as past performance reviews.

Beware sexist slights, which can quickly add up to a hostile work environment

02/22/2019
Courts are becoming more sensitive to claims that what some may have long considered “harmless” behavior has a real effect on women’s careers and can create a sexually hostile work environment.

Workplace fight? OK to punish based on severity of injuries

02/22/2019
If two workers fight, employers are free to issue harsher punishment to the worker who inflicts the most severe injuries. Just make sure you document exactly why you believe the more aggressive worker deserves greater punishment.

‘Bro culture’ in West L.A. brings suspension, lawsuit

02/22/2019
Riot Games, developer of the “League of Legends” e-sport game, has suspended Chief Operating Officer Scott Gelb following an investigation of his alleged workplace antics.